Democrats’ attacks on ICE have backfired spectacularly, with a new NBC poll showing the immigration enforcement agency more popular than the Democratic Party itself among American voters.
Story Highlights
- NBC News poll reveals ICE net favorability at -18, beating Democrats’ -22 ahead of 2026 midterms.
- Trump’s net favorability (-12) tops potential 2028 Democratic contenders Kamala Harris (-17) and Gavin Newsom (-18).
- Democratic strategy to vilify ICE for midterm gains has alienated voters who support border enforcement.
- Poll released March 9, 2026, signals voter preference for strong immigration policies under President Trump.
Poll Exposes Democratic Miscalculation
NBC News released a poll on March 9, 2026, measuring net favorability ratings eight months before the November 2026 midterm elections. ICE scored -18, higher than the Democratic Party’s -22. Democrats planned to center their campaign on criticizing ICE, echoing past opposition to Trump-era enforcement. Voters rejected this approach, favoring the agency tasked with securing borders and deporting criminals. This outcome validates President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including mass deportations and expanded ICE operations, which have restored order after years of open-border chaos.
Voter Sentiment Rejects Open Borders
The poll highlights a clear disconnect between Democratic messaging and public priorities. Americans support ICE’s role in enforcing immigration laws, especially amid President Trump’s successes like nearly three million illegal aliens removed, including over 675,000 deportations of criminals. Democrats’ efforts to portray ICE as villainous have failed, underscoring frustration with past policies that fueled illegal immigration, strained resources, and eroded community safety. Limited polling details prevent full demographic analysis, but the raw numbers indicate broad rejection of lax enforcement.
Trump’s Strength Shines in Favorability Matchup
Former President Trump’s net favorability stands at -12, outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris at -17 and California Governor Gavin Newsom at -18. These figures signal challenges for Democrats eyeing 2028, as voters associate Trump with effective border security. Under his second term, executive actions have doubled ICE’s workforce, ended catch-and-release, and built massive detention facilities. Such measures protect American families from the threats of unchecked migration, aligning with conservative values of sovereignty and law enforcement.
Conservatives see this as vindication: fiscal mismanagement and globalist open borders under prior administrations drove inflation and overwhelmed communities. Trump’s policies prioritize citizens, deporting threats and self-deporting millions more.
Strategic Setback Forces Democratic Rethink
Analyst Matt Margolis noted Democrats wanted to run on ICE outrage but enter midterms less liked than the agency they demonized. This represents a major blow to their strategy, prompting a needed recalibration on immigration. While one poll suggests a generic Democratic midterm edge, favorability data reveals vulnerability. President Trump’s enforcement surge—revoking invalid visas, slashing refugee admissions, and targeting cartels—resonates with voters tired of government overreach favoring illegals over Americans. Immigration advocates on both sides feel the impact, but enforcement supporters gain momentum.
OOF! NBC News Poll Finds ICE is More Popular Than Democrats https://t.co/tEoOCBH8Kj #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit
— Debra Dosch (@DebraDosch) March 10, 2026
With midterms approaching, Republicans can leverage this poll to champion secure borders, constitutional rule of law, and family-protecting policies that Democrats’ failed attacks have inadvertently boosted.
Sources:
NBC Poll: ICE More Popular Than Democrats Ahead of 2026 Midterms
NBC News poll reference on midterm edge
POS.org reference to NBC News poll stability analysis
